Giacomo Gates & Friends
featuring Tony Lombardozzi and George Kaye
Giacomo Gates is an internationally recognized recording artist, singer, educator, interpreter and lyricist. He combines music, history, humor, compelling stage presence and natural rapport with an audience, making his presentations fun, exciting and educational. His music swings from the very first note!
Known for his interaction with his live audience through witty banter and informative introductions, each performance becomes a lesson in jazz history. Gates' sheer joy, exuberance, wit, and unlimited creativity make him one of the most compelling jazz artists.
His last four international releases were with Savant Records. All eight of his albums have garnered critical acclaim, and were internationally released.
Gates was voted “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition” by the Downbeat Critic’s Poll, for the past several years. Jazz Journalist’s Association has nominated Gates, as “Best Male Jazz Vocalist” every year from 2003 through 2013. In 2009, & 2010, Gates was Voted #1 in the Downbeat Critic’s Poll for “Rising Star.”
Discography:
Savant Records-
“What Time Is It?”
”Everything Is Cool”
"Miles Tones - Giacomo Gates Sings the Music of Miles Davis" reached #1 on National Jazz Radio
G88 Music-
“Luminosity”
“The Revolution Will Be Jazz-The Songs of Gil Scott-Heron” - #1 for six weeks, on National Jazz Radio
“Blue Skies”, “Fly Rite”, “Centerpiece” reached the Top 12 in National Jazz Radio Airplay
Gates teaches at Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT and Sacred Heart University, giving private lessons, workshops, clinics and master classes both at home and on tour.
Known for his interaction with his live audience through witty banter and informative introductions, each performance becomes a lesson in jazz history. Gates' sheer joy, exuberance, wit, and unlimited creativity make him one of the most compelling jazz artists.
His last four international releases were with Savant Records. All eight of his albums have garnered critical acclaim, and were internationally released.
Gates was voted “Talent Deserving Wider Recognition” by the Downbeat Critic’s Poll, for the past several years. Jazz Journalist’s Association has nominated Gates, as “Best Male Jazz Vocalist” every year from 2003 through 2013. In 2009, & 2010, Gates was Voted #1 in the Downbeat Critic’s Poll for “Rising Star.”
Discography:
Savant Records-
“What Time Is It?”
”Everything Is Cool”
"Miles Tones - Giacomo Gates Sings the Music of Miles Davis" reached #1 on National Jazz Radio
G88 Music-
“Luminosity”
“The Revolution Will Be Jazz-The Songs of Gil Scott-Heron” - #1 for six weeks, on National Jazz Radio
“Blue Skies”, “Fly Rite”, “Centerpiece” reached the Top 12 in National Jazz Radio Airplay
Gates teaches at Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT and Sacred Heart University, giving private lessons, workshops, clinics and master classes both at home and on tour.
Accompanying Gates will be Tony Lombardozzi on guitar and George Kaye on bass. Lombardozzi has been active on the Jazz scene since the 1970s. He has performed extensively with some of the legends of jazz such as Clark Terry, Kenny Baron, Bill Baron, Art Davis, Ed Blackwell, Bill Watrous, Ernie Wilkins, James Newton, Grady Tate, Anthony Braxton, Art Taylor, and Jay Hoggard. He has also performed with great Jazz Guitarist’s Les Paul, Bucky Pizzarelli, Sal Salvador, and Joe Puma.
Some of the Jazz Festivals he has appeared at include the Detroit Jazz Festival, Syracuse Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz Festival, and The Jazz Festival at Avery Point. Since 1997 Tony has recorded and performed internationally with Jazz Vocalist Giacomo Gates.
He has been part of orchestras the have accompanied such stars as Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, Gladys Knight, Lou Rawls, and Ray Charles.
Tony has been a member of Wesleyan University Music faculty since 1986 where he is the director of the Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Guitar Instructor. He has also participated and conducted Jazz Clinics and Master Classes at Yale University, Syracuse University, Berklee College of Music, New York University, and at the International Association of Jazz educators (IAJE) in Toronto, Canada, and New York City.
Some of the Jazz Festivals he has appeared at include the Detroit Jazz Festival, Syracuse Jazz Festival, JVC Jazz Festival, and The Jazz Festival at Avery Point. Since 1997 Tony has recorded and performed internationally with Jazz Vocalist Giacomo Gates.
He has been part of orchestras the have accompanied such stars as Sammy Davis Jr., Mel Torme, Gladys Knight, Lou Rawls, and Ray Charles.
Tony has been a member of Wesleyan University Music faculty since 1986 where he is the director of the Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Guitar Instructor. He has also participated and conducted Jazz Clinics and Master Classes at Yale University, Syracuse University, Berklee College of Music, New York University, and at the International Association of Jazz educators (IAJE) in Toronto, Canada, and New York City.
